title: The Ward and Hudson pathways model of the sexual offense process applied to offenders with intellectual disability.
abstract: The offense pathways model of Ward and Hudson has had a significant impact on work with sex offenders. Researchers have hypothesised that offenders with intellectual disability (ID) will show a predominantly avoidant and passive pathway. The present study classifies 62 sex offenders with ID according to the four self-regulation pathways. Allocation to pathways is highly reliable and, against prediction, most participants are allocated to approach pathways. Explicit/active offenders have a higher rate of contact offenses and a lower rate of reoffending. Automatic/passive offenders have a lower average IQ. There are no significant differences between groups on victim choice, previous offenses, or assessment of cognitive distortions. The results suggest that treatment may improve understanding of society's laws, promote self-regulation, and reduce recidivism for explicit/active offenders.
authors.affiliation: State Hospital, Carstairs, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steptoe
authors.forename: Anthony T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Beech
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010552:Personality Assessment; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology